Collective Research Project Project acronym: MODELPACK |
This project aims at improving the international competitiveness of European corrugated board industries, which are mainly SMEs and of related sectors by an integrated, transnational research approach. Research will be carried out by RTD performers in order to expand the knowledge base and improve the overall competitiveness of participating SMEs. It shall enable SMEs to increase their added-value in producing corrugated board, being one of the most valuable packaging materials, from alternative resources with high proportion of recycled fibres.
For the European corrugated board industry the variability in raw materials (packaging grade papers) with increasing percentages of recycled fibres is a very common technical problem. This is due to the restrictions in availability of forest based raw materials along with favourable environmental policy (EU Packaging Directives). The difficulty of predicting the properties of paper products produced from heterogeneous sources puts several limitations, which therefore lead to severe economic losses and only a comprehensive characterisation will enable their better utilization.
The project work will start with an international survey on existing definitions and grading of raw materials and end products relevant for the project. The overall scientific and technical objectives of the project are:
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To create a database of information on raw materials (grade papers and corrugated board) available for packaging companies throughout Europe
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To classify packaging grade papers into well defined categories according to their basic properties and production methodologies
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To investigate and to identify the lower tolerance limits of the properties of grade papers that ensure high performance of selected semi-elaborates (corrugated boards) and final products (package boxes) according to their specific use
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To filter and priorise by the use of statistical analysis the paper characteristics (crucial industrial relevant properties) those mostly affect corrugated boards and boxes properties, considering SMEs practises (production, practical measurements, practical quality control)
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To develop appropriate quality prediction systems and explore new decision possibilities for both cost reduction and quality increase in packaging design and manufacturing
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To train the staff of the group of participating SMEs and IAGs and disseminate the results to interested packaging industrial SMEs by organising seminars, by publications in practical journals and brochures and by using the internet
The integrated results to predict the quality of packaging from alternative raw materials with special regard to feasibility, risks, costs, profit and energy input will be disseminated to a large number of SMEs and other interested bodies in Europe.
